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Indian IT firm celebrates the opening of a new technology center in Jackson

Steve Carmody/Michigan Radio
A group of local business and community leaders take part in a lamp lighting ceremony to celebrate the dedication of the new Michigan Technology Development Center in Jackson

An Indian IT company officially opened a new technology center in Jackson today.  

The future growth of the center may depend in part on the economy and U.S. Immigration policy.

HCL Technologies currently has about 120 IT employees working at its new center in Jackson. The goal is to expand that to 300 by the end of next year.

The Indian IT company is in the midst of a major global expansion, which includes expanding the non-Indian portion of its global workforce from 18 to 25%

“Delivery Centers is central to how we do that and the Michigan center is a core part of our strategy for the Americas,” says Steve Cardell, a senior vice president for HCL.

Cardell says the growing economy will help with expansion.

Another issue facing Indian IT companies is looming changes to U.S. Immigration policy. Congress may make it harder for Indian IT firms to get work visas for their employees.

“For many of our Indian competitors that is a major cause of concern,” says Cardell, “because their entire workforce is effectively coming out of India.”

Cardell says HCL has been working for a decade to expansion its local workforce in the countries where it is operating.

Cardell says about 90% of the workers employed at HCL's Jackson facility are American nationals.   He says the company is now busying recruiting from Michigan State University and other Michigan colleges and universities. 

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Public since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting.